Charlie Emich and Jodie Hay at the North Central CMA Chicks in the Sticks event.
North Central Catchment Management Authority held its 11th annual Chicks in the Sticks rural women’s event at the historic East Loddon Woolshed recently.
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North Central CMA organiser Belinda Pritchard said the event was well attended with about 80 women making the trip out to Serpentine.
“This event is a celebration of the achievements of rural woman by recognising their contributions to agriculture and environment and it is always a great day,” Mrs Pritchard said.
This year’s workshop featured a cultural knowledge sharing workshop with Djarra woman Aunty Maryline Nicholls.
Aunty Maryline spoke about the importance of country and the use of digging sticks for re-vegetation.
Participants were also able to plant some local kangaroo grass using the digging sticks.
Aunty Marilyn Nicholls spoke about the importance of Country. She is pictured with a digging stock which was used by women for planting.
Another highlight of the day was a tour of the historic East Loddon Woolshed.
Anthony and Emily Holland are the current owners of what they believe to be the only historical woolshed in the country built out of bricks.
They shared the fascinating history which included at its peak 40,000 sheep put through the shed.
The couple is determined to preserve the shed, while continuing to use it as a working facility.
Guest speakers included award-winning environmentalist, best-selling author, broadcaster, science journalist and sustainable living advocate Tanya Ha and Jayne Lawson.
Ms Lawson was raised on a farm in NSW and has developed a love and appreciation of wine and passion for farming.
Merino and grain farmer Glenice Fickin from Kerang said this was not the first time she had attended Chicks in the Sticks.
“I have been to a couple of these now and it is always a great opportunity to take a day off the farm and get out amongst other like minded women,” Ms Fickin said.
I also get to meet new people and catch up with those I have here met before.”
Janice Galloway from Moolorot Landcare at Carisbrook brought a car load of farming friends to the event.
They were interested in hearing the guest speakers and taking a tour of the woolshed.
“As landowners we have a strong commitment to environmental preservation and caring for the land,” Ms Galloway said.
“We have locked up some of our land and restricted grazing and it is always good to get out and meet other women with the same interests.”
A tour of the historic East Loddon Woolshed at Sepentine was a drawcard for the event.
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